Program Manager II- MEAL, Gaza and the West Bank

Job Description

Job Title: Program Manager II - MEAL, Gaza and the West Bank

Reports to: Head of Programming, JWBG

Salary Grade: 10

Job Location: Jerusalem with frequent travel to Gaza and the West Bank

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

CRS has been present in Jerusalem, West Bank, and Gaza (JWBG) since 1961. In JWBG, CRS currently supports programs in the sectors of humanitarian relief, livelihoods, civil society strengthening, and social justice promotion through its field offices in Jerusalem, Gaza, Ramallah, and Bethlehem. For further information about CRS, please visit : www.crs.org .

Job Summary

As MEAL Manager II, you will manage and provide technical oversight for MEAL in the development and implementation of the JWBG Country Program (CP) programs , particularly for the Gaza Emergency Response, ensuring effective MEAL systems and processes are in place that support high-quality programming advancing Catholic Relief Services’ work in serving the poor and vulnerable. CRS is working to provide rapid emergency assistance to conflict affected communities in Gaza and the West Bank in the sectors of multi-purpose cash; shelter; psycho-social support; food assistance; and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). Your MEAL-related management skills and knowledge will ensure that the CP delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of its emergency and early recovery programming .

Responsibilities

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight for MEAL in all new and existing projects for the CP’s emergency response programming in the West Bank and Gaza throughout the project cycle to ensure project design, start-up, implementation and close-out are in line with CRS quality principles and standards and MEAL policies, procedures, and practices, donor MEAL guidelines, and industry best practices.
• Effectively manage talent for MEAL and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, contribute to the recruitment process of MEAL staff and complete performance management for direct reports.
• Champion the development of program learning – identify opportunities for learning, research and publications in effective emergency response and recovery programs and implementation of MEAL policy. Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency knowledge management agenda. Promote the application of learning to improve program quality and to strengthen agency influence among external stakeholders. Ensure integration of MEAL-related innovations and best practices.
• Contribute to the proactive pursuit of opportunities for new funding to ensure growth of the CP emergency response and recovery portfolio in line with agency, regional, and CP strategic priorities. Serve as the MEAL technical lead and technical writer to ensure quality proposals per agency and donor standards. Provide guidance and technical oversight for the design of project and sectoral theories of change, results frameworks, and Proframes for emergency response and recovery programs. Contribute to MEAL budgeting and staffing plans and activities for proposals.
• Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight for the development and implementation of high-quality MEAL systems and processes, including ICT4MEAL and the application of responsible data principles as per agency and donor requirements in the CP. Promoting MEAL policies and industry good practices, champion the analysis and use of project performance data to inform timely decision-making and identify lessons learned. Facilitate connections between colleagues and peers to generate and share evidence-based learning.
• Provide management, guidance and technical oversight for project or program evaluation events and research in emergency response and recovery, including the development of terms of reference or study protocols that include evaluation/learning questions, a balance of qualitative and quantitative methods, appropriate consideration of ethical and data protection standards, and the necessary technical rigor. Oversee the quality of evaluation data through good data management. Support the identification, recruitment, and management of external evaluators or research partners to ensure high quality evaluation, research, and learning.
• Oversee MEAL-related technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact.
• Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of partnerships relevant to MEAL and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
• Oversees timely and appropriate project MEAL expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.
  
  

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Master's Degree in International Development, International Relations or in the field of MEAL required. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in relevant field-based project management experience required, with preferably at least 2-3 years working in the area of MEAL.
• Experience in managing moderately complex projects preferably with an international NGO.
  
  

Required Languages - Fluency in English required, including technical writing in English, Arabic preferred.

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 50% to West Bank and Gaza.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment and decisions and offer innovative solutions
• Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Good presentation and facilitation skills
• Ability to work long hours in a fast-paced environment and juggle multiple priorities.
• Able to work in an environment where everyday comforts are not ready available.
• Ability to function well in a stressful environment, stay focused, and maintain sufficient work life balance with limited options for downtime activity.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in the Middle East and experience working in Gaza or the West Bank strongly preferred.
• Experience working closely with humanitarian donors, experience with BHA/USAID strongly preferred
• Good experience in project grants management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors, including USAID.
• Experience with policies, procedures, and reporting in emergency situations.
• Familiarity with policies, procedures, and reporting of UN agencies and Caritas agencies.
• Demonstrated ability to write high quality technical proposals.
• Experience engaging with partner organizations
• MEAL skills and experience required.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.
  
  

Agency REDI Competencies (for All CRS Staff)

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity - Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust - Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.
  
  

Agency Leadership Competencies

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.
  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities

Emergency Response MEAL Unit (MEAL PM, IM Manager, Accountability Senior Project Officer)

Key Working Relationships

Internal: Head of Programming (HoP), Emergency Response Coordinator (EC), MEAL Manager and IM Manager, Technical Leads/Advisors (Shelter, Food, Cash, PSS, etc), MEAL Advisors (Regional and HQ), CRS M&E Community of Practice

External: Donors, international and local partners

MEAL Competencies (for CRS MEAL Program Staff)

Each Staff Member In This Position Is Expected To Have Advanced Knowledge And Ability And Can Apply The Following Competencies In New Or Complex Situations. Guides Other Professionals

• MEAL in Design
• Monitoring
• Evaluation
• Accountability
• Learning
• Analysis and Critical Thinking
• Management in MEAL
• ICT4MEAL
• Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.
  
  

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

Note: All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside their home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical examination.

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people - especially children and vulnerable adults - to live free from abuse and harm.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate or global telecommuter, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

About Us

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

Organization

CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people - especially children and vulnerable adults - to live free from abuse and harm.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate or global telecommuter, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer